Review: Maddie and Tae Live at KOKO

Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye burst onto the country scene in 2014 with the slightly controversial “Girl in A Country Song”, a song that went on to be the duo’s first number one single on country radio.

Following a very successful UK debut on the main stage at Country to Country in March 2016, the August 24th 2017 show at KOKO in London was part of Maddie and Tae’s second headlining UK tour. I was initially feeling reserved about the concert as the duo have already toured their debut album, “Start Here”, extensively in the UK. However, my reservations were quickly cast away when Maddie and Tae hit the stage, opening with the upbeat “Your Side of Town”.

It was clear to see that all their touring in the US has paid off, the duo is even more confident than before and knew how to work the crowd. The set list was filled with firm fan favourites and new material.

“No Place Like You” was a highlight of the show as the crowd were singing every word at the top of their lungs, with a huge burst of energy and loud cheering from the London crowd, it was clear to see Maddie and Tae could not believe the reaction, especially to a song that was never even a single. This is what I love about UK audiences and Maddie touched on this too saying how much she loved playing in London because we listen to the entire record and know every word to every song, even some of the new unreleased material.

Of the new songs debuted I particularly liked “Welcome to The Club”, which is a fun upbeat song Maddie and Tae wrote to help Maddie’s younger sister get over her first heartbreak. I love this song and hope it’ll be on their highly anticipated sophomore album. It’s a song that is relatable, with lyrics like ‘If you’re gonna get where you’re going, you got to get a little bit broken, it’s weird and it’s real and it sucks, welcome to the club” it will appeal to their demographic of girls and young adults – once again showing Maddie and Tae as strong female role models within the country music industry. They are most definitely not ‘tan-legged Juliet’s waiting for a redneck Romeo’.

One of my other favourites of the new material Maddie and Tae was “Just Fine”, another uplifting, learning about the trials and tribulations of growing up kind of song. This would be a great first single from the sophomore album and I could see this doing very well on country radio.

Maddie and Tae switched up their hit second single “Fly” by cascading into a mash up with the bridge and chorus of Coldplay’s “Fix You”, of course this went down incredibly well with the London crowd. The other cover that the crowd went wild for was “Slow Hands” by Niall Horan.

The duo finished with the ever popular “Girl In A Country Song” and brought country living to London ending with “Shut Up & Fish”.

In conclusion, Maddie and Tae have become a slick and polished duo, interacting with the crowd and feeding off the electric vibe throughout the show at KOKO. These girls get better and better every time I see them and I wouldn’t be surprised if similar to predecessors – Hunter Hayes & Kip Moore – that have performed at KOKO following the release of their sophomore album they’d be headlining a show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. There is currently no date, or title for the new album, however given the quality of song writing and songs I heard during this show, I have no doubt in my mind that it will be a hit.

Set List:

Your Side of Town

Right Here, Right Now

Sierra

Waiting on A Plane/ One Headlight

We Are Going to Get There

No Place Like You

Why You Looking At Me

Welcome to The Club

Slow Hands [Niall Horan Cover]

Growing [Acoustic Solo]

Downside of Growing Up

Walk in Her Heels

Smoke

Fly/ Fix You

Blame It on The Tree

Just Fine

Girl in A Country Song

Encore:

Somebody Will

Shut Up & Fish

The debut album “Start Here” is available to buy on iTunes and you can keep up to date with the duo by following them on their social media channels;

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Completely Country will keep you up to date with all things Country music from across the globe. Whether you want to read the latest news, hear our opinions on an artist’s album, a concert or to find out a little bit more with our featured artist interviews, you will most certainly be able to find it here at completelycountry.co.uk.